Working In Austria: A Good Choice?

Austria is a small but popular country to live and work in, attracting many tourists and long-term expats each year. It has one of the highest qualities of life in the world, with its capital, Vienna, consistently ranking as one of the most liveable cities globally.

Austria boasts a strong economy, ranking as the 12th largest in the world, and offers a high standard of living for its citizens. The country has a diverse range of industries, including building and construction, tourism, motor vehicle production, electronics, food, and transportation.

The country also has a rich culture and history, being the home of famous intellectuals such as Sigmund Freud, Beethoven, and Mozart. It is known for its music, with composers like Mozart, Lehár, and Strauss originating from Austria.

Austria is also an excellent choice for those seeking safe and stable surroundings. It is a clean and safe country, with low crime rates in rural areas and strict recycling laws in place.

However, there are some challenges to consider when moving to Austria. The cost of living is high, with expenses such as rent, transportation, food, and entertainment being particularly expensive. The country also has a conservative culture, which may be a significant adjustment for those from more liberal backgrounds.

Overall, Austria is a great place to live and work, offering a high quality of life, a strong economy, a rich culture, and a safe environment.

High quality of life

Austria has one of the highest qualities of life in the world, with its capital, Vienna, consistently ranking among the top cities for quality of living. Here are some reasons why Austria offers a high quality of life:

Excellent Public Transport and Accessibility

Austria boasts an excellent public transport system, with regular, clean, no-smoking, and air-conditioned buses that connect seamlessly with railway stations. The country is also served by several airports with international links, making it a great location for travel. Its central location in Europe means that other countries such as Italy, the Czech Republic, and Hungary are easily accessible.

Clean, Safe, and Healthy Environment

Austria is known for its clean and safe environment, with strict recycling laws in place. The country's lakes and rivers are maintained at drinking water quality, and there is little to no litter anywhere. The population of around 8 million also means that things are generally less complicated. Additionally, the health service in Austria is excellent.

Rich Culture and Leisure Activities

Austria is rich in culture, being the home of famous composers such as Mozart, Lehár, and Strauss. The country offers a diverse range of leisure activities, including walking, skiing, skating, sailing, cycling, golf, theatre, opera, and much more.

High-Quality Housing and Infrastructure

Austria offers high-quality real estate at a lower price than some of its European competitors. The country's stable property prices and excellent infrastructure make it an attractive option for those seeking a balance between quality and affordability.

Strong Economy and Job Opportunities

Austria has the 12th largest economy in the world, and its capital, Vienna, provides numerous job opportunities in industries such as research, IT, tourism, and the service sector. The country's strong economy and high standard of living make it a desirable location for expatriates and immigrants.

Strong Social Security and Benefits

Austria has a robust social security system, with various insurances in place for workers, including health insurance, long-term care insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance, and accident insurance. The country also has a low unemployment rate, with Villach, for example, having an unemployment rate of 4.1%, lower than the Austrian average of 4.9%.

In conclusion, Austria offers a high quality of life due to its excellent infrastructure, rich cultural offerings, strong economy, safe and clean environment, and robust social security system. These factors contribute to making Austria a desirable location for those seeking a high standard of living.

Good public transport

Austria has an extensive and reliable public transport system, which is among the best in Europe. The country is well-connected by trains and buses, with efficient local networks in its towns and cities. In fact, public transport is the second most popular way of commuting in Austria, after driving.

The capital, Vienna, has the best transport system in the country, with buses, trams, trains, and a metro. Wiener Linien is the main transport company in Vienna, and in 2019, it carried over 4.59 billion passengers. The WienMobil app is the most popular app for local public transport in the city, bringing together all of Vienna's transport systems.

Two companies, ÖBB and Westbahn, operate the country's train services. ÖBB runs six national train networks, including CityJet and Railjet, and has a reputation for great service, with a punctuality rate of 97%. Westbahn is a newer operator, which runs trains on the main route between Vienna and Bregenz, stopping at cities including Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Linz.

There are also several regional operators, including VOR in Lower Austria, Vienna and Burgenland, and ÖOVV in Upper Austria.

The bus network in Austria lets you reach more remote destinations. The Postbus, an ÖBB subsidiary, operates a lot of regional buses, which have Wi-Fi, power sockets, and toilets.

Tickets for trains and buses can be purchased online, through apps, or at stations and on board. There are various discount options, including for seniors, students, and youths, as well as weekly or monthly passes.

Overall, public transport in Austria is clean, fast, reliable, and affordable, making it a good option for commuters and tourists alike.

High standard of healthcare

Austria's healthcare system is complex, with responsibilities divided between federal and regional authorities. However, it is also inclusive, with mandatory health insurance covering 99.9% of the population in 2019.

Austria has a two-tier healthcare system. All residents and those from other EU countries are covered by publicly-funded healthcare. Additionally, they can purchase supplementary private health insurance for more flexible visiting hours, private doctors, and private rooms.

Public healthcare in Austria is comprehensive, covering nearly all health issues and medication requirements. It also protects spouses and children of those covered by the worker's medical insurance. It covers people through four pathways: precautionary, maternity, therapeutic aids, and illness. Under the precautionary pathway, for example, it includes vaccinations, remedies and treatment, lifestyle advice, health checks, and health at work.

Public healthcare is available to all Austrian citizens and EU/EEA citizens. Students from EU/EEA countries can use the European Health Insurance Card to access healthcare in Austria. Self-insured students, on the other hand, must pay an insurance fee of around 50 EUR per month.

Enrollment in the public healthcare system is generally automatic and linked to employment. However, it also covers co-insured persons (spouses and dependents), pensioners, students, the disabled, and those receiving unemployment benefits. The cost of public insurance is based on income and not on individual medical history or risk factors.

All insured persons are issued an e-card, which must be presented when visiting a doctor. The e-card allows for the digitization of health claims and can also be used for electronic signatures.

Hospitals and clinics can be state-run or privately run. Austria has a relatively high density of hospitals and physicians. In 2011, there were 4.7 physicians per 1,000 people, slightly higher than the European average.

Public spending on healthcare in Austria was about 22 billion EUR (30.3 billion USD) in 2011, or about 7% of GDP. Spending on health from public sources accounted for 75% of the total, while out-of-pocket spending accounted for nearly 18%.

Strong economy

Austria has the 12th largest economy in the world, with the 14th-highest GDP per capita, indicating a very high standard of living for its citizens. The country has a well-developed social market economy, with over 18,500 organic farms contributing to its flourishing economic landscape.

Austria's job market relies heavily on industries such as building and construction, tourism, motor vehicle production, electronics, food, and transportation. The textile industry is also key to the country's financial stability.

The average monthly net salary in Austria is 1,848 EUR, while the average monthly gross salary is 2,688 EUR. The average annual salary is approximately 32,250 EUR.

In 2017, the social partners in Austria agreed to implement a monthly gross minimum wage of 1,500 EUR for all sectors by 2020. However, there is no nationwide agreed-upon minimum wage.

Austria's banking system is suitably modelled after Switzerland's, offering strong privacy and asset protection. The country is also a good choice when it comes to customer satisfaction, with high ratings in areas such as income, jobs, health, access to services, environment, education, safety, and housing.

The capital, Vienna, has consistently been rated as one of the top cities in the world for quality of life. It offers excellent public transportation, a rich history, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Overall, Austria's strong economy and high quality of life make it an attractive destination for foreigners seeking new work opportunities.

Good work-life balance

Austria is known for its high quality of life, and its capital, Vienna, has consistently been ranked as one of the best cities in the world for quality of living. The country boasts excellent public transportation, a rich cultural history, and a diverse range of leisure activities.

One of the key advantages of working in Austria is the opportunity to achieve a good work-life balance. The country has a strong social security system, with various types of insurance available to workers, including health insurance, long-term care insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance, and accident insurance. This provides peace of mind and financial security for residents.

The work culture in Austria values punctuality, privacy, and organization. The average working week is 40 hours, with a maximum of 48 hours, and employees are legally entitled to a lunch break. Additionally, Austria offers generous leave policies, including maternity and paternity leave. Maternity leave, known as Mutterschaftsurlaub, provides full salary for eight weeks before and after the expected due date, with the possibility of an extension to 12 weeks if there are associated risks. The recent "Daddy Month" law grants new fathers a month of leave after their child's birth, protecting them from dismissal or contract termination during this period.

Austria also has a strong focus on health and safety in the workplace, with stringent laws in place. Employees can expect benefits such as sick pay and severance pay. The country's stable economy and high standard of living contribute to a secure and comfortable work environment.

The cost of living in Austria is relatively affordable, especially when compared to other European countries. While certain expenses, such as groceries, utilities, and entertainment, may be higher than in other locations, the overall cost of living is still lower than in many large cities with a high quality of life. For example, renting an apartment in Vienna is likely to be significantly cheaper than in Paris or London.

In conclusion, Austria offers excellent opportunities for achieving a good work-life balance. The country's social security system, generous leave policies, health and safety regulations, stable economy, and affordable cost of living all contribute to a favourable work environment that allows individuals to pursue their careers while also enjoying a high quality of life.

Frequently asked questions